Tag: Teaching
The Little Girl, Her Obstacles and Her Hustle
Anonymous, a good word to describe the little girl who existed within the insanity in which she grew up. Surrounded by two older brothers, an older sister and the many other “cousins”, who belonged to whatever friends her parents allowed to move into their home.
Lost in a crowd of many children, most of whom did not like the little girl. The ugly duckling that was she, overlooked; nothing special.
Except for her father, who referred to her as “The light of my life”. The only problem; her dad was a heroin user and dealer. When he would get arrested and sent to prison, life would return to utter chaos.
More people moving in with their kids and boyfriends and their drugs. People sleeping on sofas and the floor.
Not much was expected of this little girl. She would probably grow up to be a drug addict on welfare, with many children. All of it would eventually become true, though…something happened inside of her at the young age of 6. She decided she knew more than her teachers and her mother. She would educate herself. The little girl aspired for more.
She did not know how to get more, but she learned…sometimes the hard way. She understood her hustle. Working long hours, turning in recycled glass for money. Sometimes collecting food from churches.
Proverbs 31 says: “17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.” In other words, the Proverbs 31 Woman had her own “Hustle”.
The bible spoke of this little girl many years before she was born. Before the little girl became a woman. Her God had already predestined her steps. Though she made many mistakes a long the way, she got better and stronger.
Ganesha is the Hindu god known as the Remover of Obstacles and the God of Success and Prosperity. He is also known as the destroyer of evils and the god of education, knowledge, wisdom, wealth and domestic harmony. In India, no new undertaking, whether it is a new business, a marriage, a new job, taking an exam, or any other endeavor, is started without first making an offering or prayer to Lord Ganesha and asking for His blessing. – 2005, Reverend Jeff Bekasinski
The little girl became the woman that she wanted to be; Someone she liked, someone she loved. No drug or drink could give her a better high and she would not trade this for any euphoric drug in the world. Cocaine having been her biggest obstacle, she was now, clean and sober.
This is a true story. Anyone can own this story. For we all have obstacles in life and we all can overcome them. Some obstacles are less dramatic yet just as real. What obstacles do you want to conquer today? Are you prepared to own your hustle?
Stay Blissful My Friends – E
Sunday Shot of Bliss II.
There is Nothing New & Everything Changes…
One of my favorite scriptures, Ecclesiastes 1:9 says ” What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”. Trent Rezner confirms this in these brilliant lyrics:
I am just a copy of a copy of a copy
Everything I say has come before
Assembled into something into something into something into something
I don’t know for certain anymore – Nine Inch Nails (Copy of a)
My husband and I had the opportunity to attend a NIN concert last year and it was indeed life changing. I know, they are “just” an alternative music group. NOT! The energy and the lyrics are something anyone can grasp on a spiritual level. Additionally ethereal, this show took place at Red Rocks in “God’s Country”. Red Rocks is a majestic outdoor temple in Jefferson County, Colorado.
When I was in my 20’s, I was more ambitious than I am today. Hard to imagine. Yet when I failed at something, or worse lost an argument it was as if the world stopped spinning. Things like this could put me into a 6-month depression. An emotional state of Vertigo. Fortunately for me and my loved ones I did a little growing up in my 30’s.
Rich Mullins spoke of failure in a television interview, “Once we stop worrying about failing, we are now free to succeed.” Other good people shared these wonderful clichés: Easy Does It, First Things First, Progress Not Perfection, and This Too Shall Pass.
This Too Shall Pass is one of my favorite mantras. People of knowledge and experience know that good times and bad times come and go. Nothing is permanent. This concept has never and will never change. Yet the Buddha taught the lesson of Anicca (Everything Changes). “Anicca is a Pali word for ‘impermanent.’ The Buddha taught that everything conditioned is impermanent. To be conditioned is to be dependent on or affected by something else, and Buddhism teaches that all phenomena, including beings, are conditioned.” – Barbara O’Brien (About Buddhism)
So while everything changes, there is still nothing new under the sun. This paradox might be confusing. But it is best explained as: Change is permanent and it is continual – it has always been and will always be. Knowing this we are able to accept that our circumstances have already been subjected to by others before us, will be experienced by someone else someday…AND they will also pass! (Anicca)
Have you ever wondered why we can look at a picture, or read a book for the second time and have a completely different interpretation? I remember in the 90’s, Edward James Olmos directed and starred in a movie called “American Me“. Where I was at with my traumatic childhood memories, hindered my ability to appreciatee this movie. I hated it and I hated EJO. Some 20 years later, I watched the movie again. Wow! What an excellent representation of a part of my culture. I didn’t have to like my past or where I came from but I was now ready to respect it. (Anicca)
I am armed with the realization that I was not the only one who had faced these types of traumas. I am not alone. And even better, I might be useful to someone else who might undergo the same. I believe we are all universally connected. We are designed to be there with and for each other, to encourage, build up and empower one another!
And if you are still not convinced that there is nothing new under the sun, take a gander at the “historically based”picture below:
Stay Blissful My Friends – E
Who is Today’s Teacher?
Sometimes people tell me I have a nice voice. I reply “No, if you want to hear a singer, you should meet my daughter”.
Some people call me an artist. I reply “No, if you want to see an artist, you should meet my son”.
Some people tell me I can write. I reply “No, if you want to read something that will blow your mind, you should read my oldest son’s work”.
I raised them. I taught them. But who really taught who? I believe I learned more from each one of my children. Possibly more than I could ever offer as a teacher.
At the age of 40, after overcoming many traumas, I got this tattoo representing all that I had learned up to that point. Three of those roses, represented what I learned from each child:
Blue = To attain the impossible & perception
(psychic change)
Red = Love, Respect, Courage
Orange = Enthusiasm, Support, Autumn – Son
Gray = Wisdom, Knowledge, Modesty – Oldest Son
Pink=Feminine, Vitality, Emotional Maturity – Daughter
So I ask you who is your teacher today? Is it your boss, who shows you what a true leader is? Is it your mother, who just does what needs to be done? Could it be your dog who shows you how to be content? Is it that noisy neighbor who teaches you how to be quiet?
Someone once told me that everyone is a teacher. Some teach us how we want to be and some how we don’t want to be. My choice is to be open minded enough to learn. No judgement, just observation.
Stay Blissful my friends! – E
Living Elysian 